The main component of the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice is a series of 10 workshops, which fall within UNITAR's Core Diplomatic Training (CDT).

The format of the CDT consists of 2-days executive-style training workshops, delivered face-to-face to diplomats and other beneficiaries at major UN locations so that they can perform effectively in a multilateral environment. Most of the workshops take place at the International Environment House and in the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland.

UNITAR has been delivering CDT courses since its inception in 1965 and the courses are traditionally considered the “core” training of the Institute. By definition, CDT implies training that is multilateral in character and offered in a multilateral context. All Member States and the United Nations, collectively, benefit from greater knowledge on how to operate in the multilateral setting and perform effectively and efficiently.

CDT covers training in international cooperation and multilateral diplomacy, and is aimed at enhancing the understanding of the United Nations system and its organs and procedures, strengthening the skills relevant to conferences and negotiations and supporting efforts to build a more effective multilateral system.

The 2018/2019 edition of the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice programme will comprise of five main components:

Screening Stage– Prior to the beginning of the series, participants will receive individual guidance from UNITAR experts, which will include a self-evaluation of their competences before attending the courses, a questionnaire of expectations, and an individual pre-assessment in each of the areas covered.

Training Workshops – 10 skills-based workshops, which will aim to be cross-cutting and to equip participants with knowledge and practical competences to enhance their expertise in multilateral settings, and to enrich their professional performances. The topics envisioned for the next edition are:

Seminar Series – For this edition of the Executive Diploma in Diplomatic Practice, UNITAR will organize a series of panel discussions, which will aim to cover compelling and current themes in the international arena, and will include discussions which are closely link to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and the Agenda 2030.

Reporting Stage – At the end of the programme, attendees who have worked towards receiving the Executive Diploma will be further evaluated in the same vein as the first component, in order to assess their learning margins after the completion of the trainings. This process will allow for consistent and thorough monitoring of participants’ progress, and will serve as a final phase in their learning cycle.

Research Paper – The final requirement to obtain the Executive Diploma will be the submission of a research paper of between 3,000 and 5,000 words. For this requirement, participants must provide a more in‐depth analysis and argumentation on a chosen theme covered in the course or related to multilateral diplomacy.

The primary target audience for the Executive Diploma is the diplomatic community in Geneva. Other interested participants (staff of international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, diplomatic academies and foreign service training institutions, as well as academics and private sector professionals) will be considered, and UNITAR will make a selection based on the applications it receives.

The minimum requirements to be accepted for the Executive Diploma are the following:

Bachelor’s Degree;

2-3 years of relevant professional experience;

Proficiency in English.

Fee and Fee Reductions

The overall fee for a total of up to 10 workshops is USD 8,000. UNITAR is delighted to announce that a limited number of fellowships are offered to participants from low- and middle-income countries according to the World Bank Atlas Method. These applicants will be able to pay a discounted fee of respectively USD 3,000 (low income countries) or USD 5,000 (middle income countries).

UNITAR will make a selection based on the applications it receives.

Other

For more information, please write an email to diplomacy@unitar.org or call +41 (0) 22 917 88 10, or visit www.unitar.org/cdt.